The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is establishing an Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force to examine opportunities for offshore renewable energy development along the California coast.
California governor Jerry Brown asked the federal government to create the group.
“While offshore renewable energy resources have not yet played a significant role in California’s energy system, they present important potential future opportunities,” said Brown in a letter to interior secretary Sally Jewell.
“New developments in offshore wind technology – such as larger facilities that are not visible from land and present little to no adverse avian impacts – will likely make projects more viable,” said Brown.
The task force, a non-decisional entity, will facilitate coordination and communication between BOEM and state, local and tribal governments and federal agencies concerning potential renewable energy leasing for research activities and commercial development on federal submerged lands on the outer continental shelf.
BOEM director Abigail Ross Hopper said: “Working closely with stakeholders will allow us to identify and address issues relating to future offshore renewable energy leasing and development in a way that supports California’s clean energy goals.”
The bureau is reviewing an unsolicited lease request by Trident Winds for a 800MW floating wind farm off Morro Bay.
The developer plans to moor up to 100 turbines about 33 miles off the coast where wind speeds average 8.5 metres/sec.
Trident is targeting a 2025 commercial operation date.
BOEM expects to issue a call this summer to determine if there is competitive interest in the area.
Image: WindFloat offshore wind turbine demo (Demowfloat)
California task force eyes offshore
BOEM group to probe renewable energy leasing along the coast
By EBS